Opinion: N.J. power companies must learn lessons from Sandy outages

It may have taken more than two weeks, but, finally, the blackouts that blanketed our region in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy are becoming the stuff of bad memories. The lessons from these blackouts, however, should not be ignored.

One of the most important lessons is realizing the need to ensure that power companies have precautionary measures and contingency plans in place to help prevent another weeks-long outage.

We had hoped the utilities had learned this lesson after Tropical Storms Irene and Lee in 2011, as well as that October’s snowstorm, which had similarly disastrous results. With Superstorm Sandy, it is clearly past time to require power companies to file comprehensive emergency response plans with state officials to ensure timely restoration of power.

For too many residents, the experience after Hurricane Sandy was déjà vu. If we had learned our lesson from last year, the work to restore power would have been organized and orderly, with clear-cut deadlines and benchmarks, not another disjointed scramble. Ten days or more without power is too much to ask of residents, especially senior citizens, disabled residents and families with children. We need sound emergency plans in place to prevent these extensive outages in the future.

Last year, Tropical Storm Irene left countless homes dark for days and exposed the weaknesses of utility companies not properly equipped to handle extensive outages in the aftermath of such a destructive storm. At that time, I introduced S467 to require the Board of Public Utilities to establish a set of best practices for every utility in the state to follow with regard to power outages. In addition, all utility companies would be required to file an emergency response plan with the board to serve as an official action plan in the event of a major power outage.

Failure of utilities to follow such a law would lead to stiff fines that would accrue daily. And any fines collected due to noncompliance would be placed in an account to provide grants to municipalities affected by power outages for certain storm-related maintenance costs, so taxpayers wouldn’t have to foot the bill.

Such legislation would ensure that companies actually take steps to prepare for a storm response — especially in light of results of a state investigation into utility responses to Tropical Storm Irene that was issued in September. That report noted that more action needed to be taken by power companies to manage vegetation in order to protect exposed lines from being easily downed by falling trees and tree limbs. The report recommended following the nationally recognized Incident Command System model for “an effective and efficient restoration process,” as well as enhanced communications that can provide updated and accurate restoration information to the public, among other recommendations.

These common-sense practices are well past due. A preliminary BPU report into power company reactions to Tropical Storm Irene released in December 2011 singled out Jersey Central Power & Light as being “deficient” in its response. From the experiences of constituents who have recently contacted my office, I have yet to hear from anyone who would conclude that JCP&L’s response post-Sandy was any different.

Ensuring power to homes, schools, hospitals and businesses needs to be a priority, not only so that the quality of life won’t be diminished for extended periods of time, but also because the longer the power is out, the more New Jersey’s economy suffers. In the two weeks that passed after Sandy, businesses remained shut down, schools remained closed, the state lost millions of dollars in tax revenue and families endured extraordinary expense, hardship and inconvenience. It’s simply unacceptable.

Weather experts are warning us that the types of severe storms that we have experienced in the Northeast are expected to be the norm rather than the exception. If we haven’t learned our lessons now, we’re going to be in poor position going forward. Residents need some reassurance that their power company has a plan in place to prevent a lengthy power outage the next time a storm rolls up the coast.

Shirley Turner (D-Trenton) represents the 15th Legislative District in the New Jersey Senate.